The Loving Father

Jesus told a parable that has both sorrow and joy. How did the story provoke such contrasting emotions? Let’s take a closer look.

A father had two sons. The younger of the two was restless and rebellious, chafing under the rules of his father's house. One day, he demanded his share of the inheritance and left home. Free to follow his desires, he indulged in reckless living. But his newfound freedom led to ruin. He squandered everything on empty pleasures, and when his money ran out, so did his friends. Reduced to feeding pigs just to survive, he found himself in a truly desperate place. This is the tragic part of the story.

One day, as hunger gnawed at him, he reflected on his situation: "Here I am starving, while my father's hired servants have more than enough to eat!" In that moment, he made a decision that would change everything.

"I will get up and go back to my father," he resolved. "I’ll say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your servants.’” (Luke 15:18-19)

With nothing left but his shame and regret, the son began his journey home. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. And what did the father do? Was he angry? Did he reject his son for the mistakes he had made?

No. Filled with compassion, the father ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. He called for the finest robe, placed it on his son’s shoulders, and ordered a feast in his honor. The lost son had returned! This is the joyful part of the story.

Yet not everyone was celebrating. The older brother, who had stayed home and followed all the rules, was indignant. He refused to join the celebration, resenting the grace shown to his younger sibling. In his pride, he couldn’t see that he, too, was in need of his father's grace. He believed he deserved the attention and honor for his obedience.

Jesus told this parable to reveal the heart of God the Father. Yahweh, the Creator of all things, is generous beyond measure. Just as the father in the story shared his wealth, God shares His creation with us. He is El Elyon, the Most High, and all of His ways are good and just. To turn away from His ways is to walk in disobedience and sin.

But Yahweh is also El Roi, the God Who Sees. He looks upon us with compassion, even in our failure. He is Yahweh-Shalom, the God of peace, desiring reconciliation with His wayward children. In His great love, He gave His only Son, Jesus, as the means by which we can be restored and shielded from His righteous judgment against sin.

This parable is a picture of the Father’s heart toward us. No matter how far we may have strayed, Yahweh is always ready to welcome us home with open arms. His desire is not to condemn, but to celebrate the return of His children. And that is the greatest joy of all.

Jesus also told this parable to help us understand ourselves. We are often like the two sons in the story. At times, we rebel against God’s authority, failing to acknowledge His generosity and breaking His commands. We can be blind to our own faults, thinking we are righteous when, in reality, we fall short and are in need of His forgiveness.

But there is yet another reason Jesus shared this story: to show that His Father can also be our Father. Jesus came to earth, lived a perfect life, and died on the cross so that we could experience the love and forgiveness of the ultimate Father—God Himself. Through faith in Christ, we are given the privilege of becoming children of God.

John 1:12 tells us, "But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God."

It’s important to remember that not everyone automatically shares this relationship with God. He becomes Father to those who accept Jesus’ sacrifice and place their faith in Him. For those who trust that God is who He says He is, and believe in His promises, He offers the gift of being part of His family. God desires to be your loving Father, but it requires faith and trust in Him—faith that He is:

• Elohim, the Strong Creator, who made all things and holds them together.
• Yahweh, the Eternal and Unchanging One.
• El Shaddai, God Almighty, whose power is limitless.
• El Elyon, the Most High, sovereign over all.
• El Kana, the Jealous God, zealous for the devotion of His people.
• Yahweh-El Emeth, the LORD God of Truth, who is always faithful.
• Adonai, our Lord, deserving of all honor and submission.
• El Roi, the God Who Sees, always watching over us.
• Yahweh-Shammah, the LORD who is ever-present, never leaving or forsaking us.
• A Strong Tower of refuge for those who run to Him.
• Yahweh-Sabaoth, the LORD of Hosts, leading His armies in power.

God is Elohim, the Strong Creator, and He is generous, just like the father in Jesus’ story. He shares His world with us and provides for our needs. He is El Elyon, whose ways are always right and good. Turning away from His ways is disobedience, which the Bible calls sin.

But even in our disobedience, God is El Roi, the God Who Sees us with compassion. He is Yahweh-Shalom, who seeks to reconcile with us, His wayward children. And through Yahweh-Maginnenu, our Defense, God gave His only Son, Jesus, to shield us from the just consequences of our sin. In Christ, we find a loving Father who longs to welcome us home and celebrate our return.